NBA Development League Expansion Draft Set for September 3rd

NEW YORK, Aug. 26, 2009 - The NBA Development League's two new teams, the Maine Red Claws and Springfield Armor, will take the first step towards formulating their rosters for the upcoming 2009-10 season with the 2009 NBA D-League Expansion Draft on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009.

Springfield will select first, as determined by a random drawing, in the 10-round Expansion Draft, which will be conducted via teleconference at 2 p.m. ET from the NBA D-League Office in New York City. Maine will select second. The order of selection will alternate in each round, such that the team selecting second in the first round (Maine) will select first in the second round.

The list of available players is comprised of the players from the 2008-09 Anaheim Arsenal and Colorado 14ers "Returning Player Lists." Immediately following the draft, each team will submit a draft list of its selected players, in order of preference, to the NBA D-League office.

"The Expansion Draft gives incoming teams an opportunity to begin crafting their 2009-10 rosters," said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel for the NBA D-League. "It affords Maine and Springfield the opportunity to draft the rights to returning players with valuable NBA D-League experience."

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA's official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. For the 2009-10 season, the league will feature 16 teams - including the debut of the Maine Red Claws and the Springfield Armor. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league's connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.